Appropriate Paper-based Technology (APT) cheered. Carmona trainees above, show off finished items and take to heart APT, by author Bevill Parker, British Environmentalist, which ‘’makes something out of nothing’’. Turning paper wastes/used cardboard boxes into durable/attractive kiddie table, chairs, and other utility items, this enthusiastic batch proved that with this technology, women and men with disabilities alike, even with physical impairments, could fabricate furniture/gadgets that are 1) useful 2) strong 3) costing almost nothing, and 4) attractive, which are 4 APT musts.

To the beat of GangNam Style and the like, the group, some joined by their kids, gamely made group and individual projects non-stop, to maximize their 2 days. Fascinated in the end by their devices’ woodlike quality and strength, tested by some heavy weight staff, Mayor Dahlia Loyola ordered 12 sets of tables and chairs for their Reading Center. Tall order but a huge compliment to the jolly batch, including NCDA represented by Parker student at the University of London-ICH/APT trainor Nelia R. de Jesus, NCDA-TCD Chief.

This ‘’paper carpentry’’ workshop was made more fun, with in-between-work energizer sign language and getting an “ECO Bag” compliments of SM Supermalls for their tools and stuff.

After an exciting exhibit and sale of fashionable “Bags for Life” crafted by persons with disabilities and their kins at the Municipal Hall last November 7, 2012, Mayor Dahlia Loyola gave the project her thumbs up. She warmly thanked NCDA for bringing in ‘Bags for Life’ Expert Ms. Lulu Ocampo for the 6-day workshop, and on the spot, gave instructions to tap local establishments to donate all used telephone directories, posters and newspapers to sustain ‘’Bags’’ production

20 trainees with disabilities hurdled 8 days to learn weaving “Bags for Life”, back-to-back with ‘Appropriate Paper-based Technology (APT)” to make useful devices/kiddie tables and chairs from waste cardboards and papers. Aimed to provide Carmona’s persons with disabilities novel and practical options to generate extra income, this is also an NCDA’s pitch to enlist women and men with disabilities as environment advocates through waste reuse.

To seal the recently concluded ‘’Philippine Disability Affairs Office (PDAO) Congress”, held in Bayview Plaza Hotel on August 15-17, 2012, PDAO Officers/focal persons signed the Manifesto of Commitment/”e-PDAO Network”, to spur and serve as hub in rolling out national disability programs most effectively.

“Manifesto Signing of “e-PDAO Network”

Jorwin Bautista (left) among the first to sign, Joerabs (middle) signs on behalf of Opol Fed.of PWDs, the rest saying while signing, “Sali tayo dyan!’”

PWD Webstore features Tahanang Walang Hagdanan, Inc. – a non-stock, non-profit and non-government organization that aims to uplift the lives of the Orthopedically handicapped persons. It was founded by Sr. Valeriana Baerts, ICM. a Belgian nun who was assigned as a volunteer nurse here in the Philippines. The center is located in Cainta Rizal which is about 15 kms. East Manila. It has five workshops, six Dormitories for trainees who came from far provinces. It is a rehabilitation and skills training center with sheltered workshops where the people with disabilities are trained to be productive and self-reliant member of the society.